Fig tree named ‘4-19’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of fig ( Ficus carica ) tree named ‘4-19’, characterized by its large size and dark purple skin, as well as its productivity and regular bearing. The tree produces two crops, both the breba first crop and the productive second, or main, crop. The fruit eye is usually small, the fruit skin and meat are moderately thick and durable, and the fruit pulp has an attractive reddish color, is fine-textured, and is sweet and rich in flavor. The fruit appears to hold its size later into the season than other commercial varieties of figs, thus extending the season for prime size and quality figs.

Latin name: Ficus carica.

Variety denomination: ‘4-19’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Ficustree, botanically known as Ficus carica and hereinafter referred to bythe name ‘4-19’.

The new fig selection, ‘4-19’, originated from a controlledhybridization made in early summer of 2011 by the Inventor in Roseville,Calif. The parentage of this new selection is made up of two proprietaryparents, the female (fig) parent ‘SSB-121’ (unpatented) and the male(caprifig) pollen parent ‘G-88’ (unpatented). Both parents are theproperty of the Inventor. ‘SSB-121’ is an open-pollinated seedlingderived from seed of a black Smyrna type fig (unpatented). The caprifig‘G-88’ is derived from a cross of the California Brown Turkey fig(unpatented), with the ‘D3-11’ caprifig (unpatented), a proprietarycaprifig belonging to the Inventor. ‘D3-11’ has a genome derivedprimarily from the Calimyrna fig variety.

The new ‘4-19’ selection was first asexually propagated by the Inventorduring the 2015 growing season in Roseville, Calif., by taking cuttingsfrom the original tree. The first propagule was planted by the Inventorin 2015 at a testing location controlled by the Inventor located nearthe town of Wilton in Sacramento County, Calif. (hereinafter referred toas the “Wilton” location). This propagated tree first produced a smallamount of fruit at the Wilton location in 2017. Propagules of theoriginal ‘4-19’ seedling have shown that the unique features are stableand reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new ‘4-19’ fig is of the common type and, thus, does not need to bepollinated to set and mature a crop of both breba and second crop fruit.The ‘4-19’ fig is a large, dark purple-skinned fig and is characterizedby a large tree that is productive and a regular bearer. The treeproduces two crops—the first, or breba, crop and the productive second,or main, crop. The fruit eye of ‘4-19’ is usually small, therebyrestricting the entry of insects that could enter the fruit and causeinternal decay. The fruit skin and meat are moderately thick anddurable, making the fruit very suitable for packing and shipping as afresh market product. The fruit pulp has an attractive reddish color, isfine-textured, and is sweet and rich in flavor. The fruit appears tohold its size later into the season than other commercial varieties offigs, thus extending the season for prime size and quality figs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The colors in the accompanying photographs are as nearly true as isreasonably possible in color photographs of this type. However, due todevelopment, processing, printing, and reproduction, the leaves andfruit depicted herein may or may not be accurate when compared with theactual botanical specimens.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the original ‘4-19’ seedling tree, aged sevenyears.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of fruit on the ‘4-19’ tree.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a fruit and leaf of the first (breba) crop.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of fruits and leaves of the second (main) crop.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following plant description was developed for the fig selection‘4-19’ during the 2019 growing season. Plant material and fruit wasobtained from the original seedling tree of ‘4-19’, growing in easternStanislaus County, Calif. near the town of Waterford (hereinafterreferred to as the “Waterford” location). The original ‘4-19’ seedlingtree is now in its eighth season, having been planted in early 2012.Color definitions that are utilized in this description are from The“Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart”, 3^(rd) edition, published atLondon, GBR in 1995, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used.

-   General description:    -   -   Tree.—This fig selection is a common fig, from the genus and            species Ficus carica. The tree of ‘4-19’ is large and            vigorous for the species. It is upright-spreading in form            with a round top and with moderately dense foliage. The            selection has been hardy under typical San Joaquin Valley,            Calif. climatic conditions. The tree has been very            productive and has produced an abundant crop for several            years. The subject tree is the original seedling tree,            obtained from a seed of a hybrid cross made by the Inventor            in 2011 in Roseville, Calif. The ‘4-19’ fig was grown into a            seedling tree at the Waterford location during the 2012            growing season. By 2019, the seedling tree had reached a            height of approximately 15.5 to 16.0 feet (472 to 488 cm)            and a width of approximately 20.5 to 23.0 feet (625 to 701            cm). The tree has only been slightly pruned after the first            2 to 3 formative years, with the exception of removal of            low-hanging branches that interfered with cultural            operations. Top growth extension in the 2019 growing season            has varied from 7 to 18 inches (approximately 18 to 46 cm)            in length. The original row spacing in this hybrid seedling            planting was 12 feet (366 cm) between the rows and            approximately 3 feet (91 cm) between the trees. At this            point in time, due to the removal of discarded trees, there            are only a few trees left standing in the block. The ‘4-19’            fig is of the ‘common’ or ‘persistent’ type. This signifies            that the selection does not need to be pollinated            (caprified) by insects in order to set and mature fruit.        -   Vigor.—The tree has strong vigor.        -   Trunk.—The base of the tree trunk is 25 cm in diameter at a            point that measures 10 cm up from the ground. The trunk            color is gray, Fan 4 — Sheet 201D. The surface of the trunk            has many fine, vertical striations and is covered with            numerous small lenticels. The lenticels are variable in size            and can range from 1 to 7 mm in length and from 0.5 to 2.0            mm in height. The lenticels usually have a flattened, oval            form. The lenticels, at times, can be coalesced into bands            across the trunk surface. The lenticels are usually darker            in color than the trunk surface, varying from a dark gray,            Fan 4 — Sheet 201A, to a somewhat lighter gray, Fan 4 —            Sheet 201B. There is often callous present on the lenticel            surface.        -   Bark tubers.—Three relatively small bark tubers are present            below a point approximately 1.3 meters high on the main            trunk. A first bark tuber is globose in form with a diameter            of 1.0 cm and a height (i.e., thickness extending from the            bark) of 0.9 cm. A second bark tuber is globose in form with            a diameter of 0.8 cm and a height of 0.8 cm. A third bark            tuber is oval in form with a length of 2.1 cm, a width of            1.7 cm, and a height of 1.3 cm. Color of the tubers is the            same gray color as the color of the bark on the trunk, Fan 4            — Sheet 201D.        -   Scaffolds.—Multiple scaffolds arise from the main tree            trunk. Scaffold diameters range from 2.8 to 4.75 cm, with            six scaffolds present. The scaffold surfaces also have fine            vertical striations and lenticels similar to the trunk of            the ‘4-19’ selection. The scaffold surface color is gray,            Fan 4 — Sheet 201D.        -   Branching density.—The branching density of the tree is            medium.        -   Secondary branches.—Many secondary branches arise from the            primary branches of the ‘4-19’ fig tree. These secondary            branches are variable in size, ranging from 2.5 cm down to            1.6 cm in diameter and smaller. The larger secondary            branches are similar in surface texture to the scaffolds,            with striations and a few small lenticels. The basal            portions of the older secondary branches are grayish in            color, Fan 4 — Sheet 201D. Near mid-shoot on the secondary            branches, the branch color is brown, Fan 4 — Sheet 200C,            with some overtones of green, Fan 3 — Sheet 148A. In a            transition zone from near mid-shoot to the tip of the            secondary branches, the color of the bark is grayish-brown,            Fan 4 — Sheet 199. A small amount of light, short and            scattered pubescence can be present over the brownish areas.        -   Shoots.—Out near the tips of younger and smaller shoots,            where the branch is still moderately soft and immature, the            shoots are a lighter green color, Fan 3 — Sheet 144A. These            younger shoots are pubescent with scattered short but stiff            pubescence. Internode length of one-year-old vertical shoots            is substantially variable, ranging from 6.7 to 7.3 cm near            the base of the shoot and from 3.0 to 4.6 cm near the top of            the shoot. Bud support swellings are absent in two-year-old            shoots. Two-year-old shoots can vary in form from relatively            straight for more vertical shoots, to somewhat curved            upwards for more lateral shoots. Weeping of the secondary            shoots is absent.        -   Buds.—The terminal buds on the shoots are usually conic in            form with an attenuate tip. In dormant conditions, the            length of the terminal bud ranges from 11 to 16 mm and the            width of the terminal bud ranges from 5 to 6 mm. Terminal            bud color at mid-season can be variable but is most            frequently greenish-yellow, Fan 3 — Sheet 145A. The vertical            angle of the tip of the terminal bud is most frequently            slightly oblique to the end of the bearing branch.        -   Leaf size and texture.—The leaves of ‘4-19’ are large in            size and average, to somewhat above average, in thickness.            The leaf measurements made were obtained from leaves growing            at, or slightly below, mid-shoot on vigorous current            season's growth. Leaf width varies from 20.5 to 23.5 cm, and            leaf length varies from 24.0 to 28.0 cm, not including the            petiole. The leaves are thick, slightly above average.            Pubescence on the upper leaf surface is very short, stiff            and somewhat scattered. Pubescence on the underside of the            leaf is also short but soft and flexible. Pubescence on the            underside leaf surface is found primarily on the surface of            the leaf veins and is more dense than the pubescence found            on the upper leaf surfaces. The upper surfaces of the ‘4-19’            leaves are moderately glossy.        -   Leaf form.—Leaves found on a single individual tree can have            some variability. Leaves on the ‘4-19’ fig selection are            palmately lobed and can possess three or five lobes. The            lobes are most frequently latate in form and the leaf base            is most frequently calcarate in form. The leaf sinuses are            moderately deep, ranging from 4 to 7 cm in depth, most            frequently averaging 6 cm in depth. There are mostly “U”            shaped sinus bottoms but double “U” shaped forms can also be            found. The leaf veins located on the lower leaf surface are            very prominent. Veins located on the upper leaf surface are            less prominent. Veins located on both the upper and lower            surfaces are highly pubescent.        -   Leaf margins.—The leaf margins of the ‘4-19’ selection are            most frequently crenate in form but some variability can be            present. There are usually crenations of medium size and            uniformity, but large size and irregular crenations can            often be found. At the outside base of some lobes there can            be a few margin areas with a small number of serrations. The            inner lobe margins within the leaf sinuses are usually            linear in form, lacking serrations or crenations.        -   Leaf and vein color.—The upper leaf surface is a dark green            color, ranging from a dark, Fan 3 — Sheet 137A, to a lighter            green, Fan 3 — Sheet 137C. The lower leaf surface is a            lighter green, Fan 3 — Sheet 139B. The leaf vein color can            vary from a pale greenish, Fan 3 — Sheet 145B, to a more            yellow-green, Fan 3 — Sheet 150C.        -   Leaf petiole.—The leaf petiole ranges from 7.0 to 11.2 cm in            length. Thickness of the petiole varies from 0.5 to 0.8 cm            in diameter, measured at the petiole base. The petiole            surface is studded with scattered pubescence and is more            dense where the petiole adjoins the base of the leaf blade.            The petiole color is a light greenish-yellow, Fan 3 — Sheet            145A.        -   Flowers.—Many very small pedicellate fig flowers develop            within each fig fruit, on the inner wall of the hollow fig            receptacle known botanically as a “syconium”. As each fruit            initiates along the expanding shoot throughout the growing            season, these syconia are entered, through the eye of the            fruit, by the small fig wasp (Blastophaga psenes L.) The fig            wasp has completed its life cycle inside a caprifig (see            below) and is contaminated by pollen acquired from within            the caprifig. The wasps enter and pollinate the fig flowers            within the syconia as the syconia flowers become receptive            when the syconia is about 1 to 2 cm in diameter. The florets            have a five-part perianth and are unisexual, with either            long-styled or short-styled pistillate flowers.-   Description of the first and second crops: Descriptions of both the    first and second crops of the new ‘4-19’ fig selection are as    follows. The first crop, also known as the “breba” crop, is produced    on the previous season's growth. In general, this breba crop is    usually lighter in volume than the second, or main, crop and the    breba fruit is often larger than the fruit of the second crop.    Depending on environmental factors, fruit size and quality and the    crop volume of the breba crop may vary substantially from year to    year. There can be from a month or more in difference between the    first maturity dates for the breba and the second crop. The second    crop is produced on current season's growth. This main crop is most    frequently higher in production than the breba crop and makes up the    bulk of commercial production for the variety. Fruit size is usually    smaller in the main crop. Within any cultivar, there can be    differences in appearance, color, flavor, size and other    characteristics between the first and the second crop. Following are    fruit descriptions for the breba and second crops of the new fig    selection ‘4-19’.-   First (breba) crop:    -   -   Maturity.—The ‘4-19’ fig selection is of the “common”            (persistent) botanical type. This fig type indicates that            the fruit on the tree does not need pollination to set,            either in the breba crop or in the second crop and to            proceed to full ripe maturity. The date of maturity for the            breba crop of the ‘4-19’ fig selection began on Jun. 26,            2019 and continued until approximately Jul. 30, 2019.        -   Size.—The fruit size is large. Fruit width averages from 50            to 73 cm in diameter, and from 83 to 92 cm in length, not            including the stem. Fruit weight can vary from 65 to 124 g            per fruit during the early part of the season. Size and            weight of the ‘4-19’ breba fruit can decrease as the season            progresses.        -   Form.—Form of the breba fruit is relatively spherical.        -   Neck.—The neck of the fruit on the breba crop is of medium            length, ranging from 18 to 26 cm and is most often curved.        -   Stalk.—The fruit stalk is short, ranging from 6 to 9 mm in            length and from 5 to 7 mm in diameter. Stalk color is green,            Fan 3 — Sheet 144B. At times, the stalk color can be            yellowish-green, Fan 3 — Sheet 151A, occurring on the upper            surface where the stalk is exposed to sunlight. The stalk            surface is covered with a short and very fine pubescence.            Three bracts are often present on the stalk, appressed to            the base of the fruit neck. The bracts range from 4 to 5 mm            in height and from 5 to 6 mm in width, measured across the            base of the bract. The bracts are roughly conic in form and            usually brownish in color, Fan 4 — Sheet 177A, often with            yellowish areas present, Fan 3 — Sheet 151C, and            occasionally with purple striping, Fan 4 — Sheet 180B. The            attachment of the stalk to the bearing branch is strong.        -   Ribs.—Low ribbing can be present on the fruit skin surface            longitudinally, extending fully from the fruit neck to the            fruit eye. These ribs are not prominent. Before full fruit            maturity, the ribs appear darker than the surrounding body            of the fruit. At full maturity, however, the body of the            fruit and the fruit ribs blend into a uniform dark purple            color, Fan 4 — Sheet 187A.        -   Eye.—The fruit eye is small in size and tight, averaging            from 1 to 3 mm in diameter. The entrance to the fig ostiole            is blocked by numerous overlapping scales, effectively            restricting entrance by insects. Scale coloration is            essentially the same color as the fruit body at maturity,            Fan 4 — Sheet 187A.        -   Skin.—The fruit skin is of medium thickness, and quite            durable. The skin surface is moderately glossy. There is an            abundance of short and fine pubescence present over the            surface of the fruit. This pubescence is so fine as to be            hardly noticeable. Skin tears or renting are not usually            present.        -   Skin color.—The skin color of the ‘4-19’ fig is a very dark            purple, Fan 4 — Sheet 187A, over much of the fruit surface.            There is some lighter purple coloration on some fruit on the            basal area of the fruit neck, progressing toward the stem,            Fan 4 — Sheet 187C. Where the fruit neck adjoins the fruit            stem, a small amount of yellow-green coloration, Fan 3 —            Sheet 145A, can be present on the end of the neck. This            yellow-green ground color is not visible on many fruit once            the fruit has reached full maturity.        -   Skin flecking.—Skin flecking can occur on most mature fruit            of the ‘4-19’ fig selection. Quantity of flecks can vary            from very few to many. The flecks are most commonly found            over the fruit shoulders up near the fruit neck, and can            progress down to about mid-fruit and sometimes lower. Fleck            size is quite variable, from 0.5 to 3.5 mm in height            (measured longitudinally) and from 0.5 to 1.5 mm in width.            The flecking is light colored and variable, from a cream            color, Fan 4 — Sheet 158B, to an uneven pinkish coloration,            Fan 1 — Sheet 36A.        -   Meat.—The fig meat is moderately thin along the lateral            sides of the ‘4-19’ fruit, from 3.0 to 6.0 mm at the            thinnest point laterally and from 8.0 to 10.0 mm at the            thickest points. The thickest areas of meat are at the stem            end and basally. The meat thickness in these areas can range            from approximately 8 to 18 mm, and can be irregular in            distribution. The meat is tender and relatively sweet in            flavor. Meat color can range from nearly white, Fan 4 —            Sheet 155B, at the stem end to pinkish, Fan 2 — Sheet 75C,            especially laterally.        -   Pulp.—The pulp of the ‘4-19’ fig fruit usually fills the            center of the fruit, with numerous irregular seams of pulp            running through the interior. The seams are light reddish in            color, Fan 1 — Sheet 37B, to a darker red, Fan 1 — Sheet            37A. Most of the fruit seeds are found within these seams.            Light colored pulp occurs between the seams, and ranges in            color between light pink, Fan 1 — Sheet 36B, to a lighter            shade of pink, Fan 1 — Sheet 36D to almost white.        -   Seeds.—Numerous seeds are present in the pulp of the breba            fruit crop. The amount of seeds varies, from between about            50 and about 1,600 seeds, with more seeds being present when            more pollen-bearing wasps enter the fruit. This seed is            quite small and can vary from oval to globose in shape. The            seed diameter averages approximately 1.0 mm. Seed color is a            light tan-brown, Fan 4 — Sheet 164C.        -   Flavor.—The fig fruit flavor is mild, sweet and pleasant.        -   Usage.—The primary usage of the breba crop of the ‘4-19’ fig            is for the fresh market.        -   Internal cavity.—The internal cavity of the fruit varies            from absent to small.        -   Lenticel density.—The density of the lenticels is medium.-   Second (main) crop: The second crop size in 2019 was about average.    The second crop was borne on current season's growth. This    description was developed during the last week of August, 2019.    Fruit maturation range at this time varied from fully immature to    fully tree ripe. The second crop of the ‘4-19’ fig is classified as    of the common or persistent type. It does not need to be pollinated    (caprified) in order to set fruit that will develop into a mature    fruit.    -   -   Maturity.—The second crop fruit of the ‘4-19’ fig began to            mature approximately around Aug. 15, 2019. The 2019 season            was approximately 10 days to 2 weeks later than average.            Figs are produced successively in axils of actively growing            shoots from about late July until October in the San Joaquin            Valley of California. The commercial production of figs            terminates when the bearing shoot stops elongating, often            due to heat or drought, or when climatic conditions such as            fog, rain or frost, etc. makes the fruit unsalable.        -   Size.—The fruit is large in size and abundant. Fruit length,            not including the stem, varies from 54 to 68 mm. Fruit width            varies from 52 to 75 mm. Weight of the fruit can range from            64 to 156 g, with a high percentage of the early second crop            in the 80 to 90 g range.        -   Form.—The second crop fruit form is most frequently oblate.        -   Neck.—The neck is usually short and moderately narrow. The            neck diameter, where it joins the main body of the fruit,            ranges from 10 to 14 mm. The neck is moderately curved. The            neck length ranges from 9 to 19 mm, not including the stem.        -   Stalk.—The stalk of the ‘4-19’ second crop fruit is            relatively short. Stalk length can range from 5 to 12 mm and            stalk width, measured basally, can range from 6 to 7 mm in            diameter. Stalk color is variable, from a green-yellow, Fan            3 — Sheet 144C, to a more yellow-green, Fan 3 — Sheet 154A.            The stalk surface is pubescent, with numerous short and fine            hairs. Three conic-shaped bracts, from 4 to 5 mm wide            basally, can be appressed to the fruit neck or, in many            cases, the bracts are loose or flaring out from the top of            the fruit neck. At full maturity, the bracts can be variable            in coloration. Color can range from yellowish, Fan 3 — Sheet            151D, with purplish margins basally or, at times, purple            striping along the entire bract margin, Fan 4 — Sheet 181B.            With advanced maturity, the bracts are more entirely            purplish in color, Fan 4 — Sheet 181B and C. The attachment            of the stalk to the bearing branch is strong.        -   Ribs.—Skin ribbing is usually present on the ‘4-19’ fruit            surface in a longitudinal direction from the fruit neck down            to the fruit eye. These ribs are low and not very prominent.            Before maturity, the color of the ribs is darker than the            surrounding fruit skin coloration. At maturity, however, the            color of the fruit ribs blends well with the surrounding            skin color of the fruit, which is a uniform dark purple            color, Fan 2 — Sheet 79A.        -   Eye.—The fruit eye is small and tight, ranging from 1.5 mm            to 2.0 mm in diameter. The fruit ostiole is blocked by many            overlapping scales that restrict entrance into the fruit            center by insects. The scales are roughly conic in form,            with the scale color roughly the same as the skin color, Fan            2 — Sheet 79A. The purple coloration is somewhat lighter            along the scale margins, Fan 2 — Sheet 78B.        -   Skin.—The fruit skin is of medium thickness and quite            durable. The skin surface is only slightly glossy and is            covered with a grayish bloom. There is also an abundance of            short and fine pubescence present on the surface of the            skin. The presence of this very fine pubescence is not very            noticeable. Longitudinal skin renting occasionally occurs on            the fruit lateral surfaces. This renting can be enhanced            negatively by over-watering during the second crop harvest            season.        -   Skin color.—The skin color of the second ‘4-19’ crop fruit            is a very dark purple, Fan 2 — Sheet 79A, over most of the            fruit skin surface. There can be some lighter purple            coloration, Fan 4 — Sheet 187B, around the basal area of the            neck, and on the fruit neck itself. Occasional small areas            of green-yellow ground color, Fan 3 — Sheet 148B, can be            seen on the upper shoulder area of the fruit.        -   Skin flecking.—Skin flecking occurs on most mature fruit of            the ‘4-19’ fig. Fleck density can range from only a few to            several dozen. The flecks are generally found laterally on            the fruit, more dense over the fruit shoulders and up on the            fruit neck. Size of the flecks varies substantially, from            0.5 mm up to as long as 3.5 mm in the longitudinal            direction, and from 0.5 to 1.5 mm in width. The flecks are            light and variable in color, from a cream color, Fan 4 —            Sheet 158B, to an uneven pink color, Fan 1 — Sheet 36A.        -   Fig meat.—The fig meat occurs just under the skin of the fig            fruit. It is moderately thin along the lateral sides of the            fruit, from 3.0 to 6.0 mm at the thinnest point laterally,            and from 5.0 to 12.0 mm at the thickest point. The stem end            and the basal end of the fruit have the thickest areas of            meat under the skin and can range from about 8.0 to 18.0 mm            in thickness in those areas. The meat is tender and sweet in            flavor. Color of the meat can vary from nearly white, Fan 4            — Sheet 155B, at the stem end, to, at times, slightly pink,            Fan 2 — Sheet 75C, especially laterally.        -   Fig pulp.—The pulp of the second ‘4-19’ fig crop usually            completely fills the center of the fig fruit. At other            times, numerous irregular seams of pulp interspersed with            fig meat fills the center. The pulp color can vary from a            light red, Fan 1 — Sheet 39A, to a darker red, Fan 1 — Sheet            42A. Many white fibers, Fan 4 — Sheet 155D, are visible            within the pulp. Most of the fig seeds within the fruit are            found within the pulp.        -   Fig seeds.—Numerous seeds are present in the pulp of the            second ‘4-19’ fig crop. The amount of seeds varies, from            between about 50 and about 1,600 seeds, with more seeds            being present when more pollen-bearing wasps enter the            fruit. This seed is quite small and varies from oval to            ovate in shape. The seed averages about 1.0 mm in diameter.            Seed color is a light tan-brown, Fan 4 — Sheet 164B.        -   Flavor.—The fruit flavor is very good. It is sweet, rich and            pleasant.        -   Usage.—The primary usage of the second ‘4-19’ fig crop is            for sale in the fresh market.        -   Internal cavity.—The internal cavity of the fruit is absent.        -   Lenticel density.—The density of the lenticels is medium.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANTS AND A KNOWN VARIETY

The ‘SSB-121’ fig is the female parent of the ‘4-19’ fig. Althoughsimilar in appearance, the two figs are of a different horticulturalclassification. ‘SSB-121’ is a Smyrna non-persistent type fig. Thatmeans it needs to be caprified (i.e., pollinated) by the fig wasp inorder to set and mature fruit. Without this caprification, the fruit of‘SSB-121’ will start to grow, but quickly shrivel up and drop off thetree. In comparison, ‘4-19’ is a common (persistent) type fig. Thatmeans it does not need pollination by the fig wasp in order to set andmature a full crop. The ‘G-88’ fig is the male (i.e., pollinator) parentof ‘4-19’, known as a caprifig. It is also in a different horticulturalclassification than ‘4-19’. The ‘G-88’ fig is a male and containsanthers that will shed pollen when mature. The ‘4-19’ fig is an ediblefig and has no male parts or pollen within the interior of the fruit.

The ‘4-19’ fig can be compared to the California Brown Turkey fig, oneof the primary fresh market figs grown commercially in California. Both‘4-19’ and the California Brown Turkey are purple-skinned figs. ‘4-19’,however, is a darker purple color and does not have any substantialyellow ground color showing around the fruit shoulders and neck as isthe case with the California Brown Turkey. The second crop fruit of‘4-19’ may hold its size later in the season than fruit of theCalifornia Brown Turkey. The interior pulp of ‘4-19’ may fill the centerof the fruit completely, whereas the interior of the California BrownTurkey fruit is not completely filled. The fruit eye of ‘4-19’ may besmaller than that of the California Brown Turkey. The precocity of the‘4-19’ tree closely resembles the precocity of the Mission fig variety(another purple-skinned cultivar also widely grown in California),whereas the precocity of the California Brown Turkey is greater.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ficus carica treenamed ‘4-19’, substantially as illustrated and described herein.